Respected and influential community leader

Benjamin Waller was a respected and influential lawyer, civil servant, community
leader, and land developer. Born in King William County, Virginia, Waller was
a student at the College of William and Mary and later studied law using Sir
John Randolph's law library. He later imparted some of his legal training to
George Wythe.

Appointed to lucrative positions by patron

Due in part to the influence of his patron, Secretary John Carter, Waller received
appointments to a number of important and lucrative positions. He served as
clerk and burgess for James City County, recorder of Williamsburg, vestryman
of Bruton Parish Church, and judge of the Court of Admiralty, to name a few
of his many offices.

Williamsburg land developer

Waller also was a land developer. He purchased several parcels of land on the
east side of Williamsburg and subdivided a portion of the property into smaller
lots, many of which were bought by craftsmen who paid 10 pounds for each lot.
Purchasers had to agree to build a 16-by-20-foot house with a brick chimney
within three years.

Father of ten

Waller married and had 10 children, six daughters and four sons. His wife,
Martha, tended to the household overseeing the children and directing the work
of their several slaves. One of his grandsons, William Waller, married the daughter
of U.S. President John Tyler and lived in Benjamin Waller's house in Williamsburg.